Alice Jordan-Baird
Gorton · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“This includes incentives like the Commonwealth Prac Payment, which means students on their mandatory nursing and midwifery placements will be paid for their work, making life easier for our nursing and midwifery students.”
“We took health care to the election, and right across the board we're legislating change. We've capped the cost of PBS-listed medicines at just $25, the lowest it's been since 2004—when I was in primary school—which has seen a saving of more than $14 million in my electorate of Gorton.”
“With competing cost-of-living pressures, these families shouldn't be worrying about the cost of seeing a doctor as well. These families deserve regular access to affordable GP appointments, and that's why this bill matters.”
“Our green and gold Medicare card means opportunity. It means receiving high-quality health care, regardless of your bank balance. I'm so proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government, which is committed to strengthening Medicare for generations to come, and this bill, the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measur…”
“It means that, in Melbourne's western suburbs, people in our community have access to free walk-in care when they need it. With this budget, we're making urgent care clinics like the ones in Melton and Sunshine permanent. Urgent care clinics play a really important role in taking the pressure off our emergency departments.”
“Our introduction of Medicare bulk-billing clinics is really making a huge difference in our communities across the country. I'm really proud to report that, in my community, there are now 24 Medicare bulk-billing practices—up from 13 before our bulk-billing changes were introduced.”
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“These are all to support the commissioner to carry out their job to the best of their ability. As for ensuring the commissioner's independence, a person will not be eligible to be appointed as commissioner if they have served in any capacity in the ADF within the past five years. The commissioner will be appointed by the Governor-General after a merits based and public recruitment process. This is important to mention. It's important that the commission and the commissioner remain independent so that we can ensure the purpose of this bill is met: independent oversight and evidence-based advice. The bill also expands on the scope of witness protection by ensuring a person providing information to an inquiry is protected in doing so.”
“Your insights, your experiences, are invaluable. This bill also strengthens the commissioner's independence and powers. The commissioner will be empowered to report to the Prime Minister when they are of the opinion that adequate and appropriate action has not been taken by a Commonwealth entity in respect to recommendations contained in a report of the commissioner. This is so powerful, because it truly puts the duty on the heads of Commonwealth entities to make sure that the commissioner is being assisted properly in carrying out their functions. This bill will also make sure that the commissioner has all the relevant information needed for a special inquiry, enabling them to gain access to documents by remote means. It includes new offences for the provision of false and misleading information or the destruction of documents or things.”
“Recommendation 2 was that the commissioner functions include reference to veterans' families. The Senate committee review did just that. It means that stakeholders have an opportunity to raise their concerns with the legislation. These are the people who are closest to the issues at hand, the ones that will feel the impacts of these reforms every single day, and they're the people whose experiences have shaped this legislation. There's no doubt that families of veterans play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of veterans. These families face their own unique challenges as well. That's why it's so important that these community members, the real people, form the building blocks of this legislation—because they really are the centre of it. I'd like to thank every member of the community who contributed to this committee's review.”
“Since this underpins the rest, it really matters that we get this right. We're ensuring that agencies implementing the royal commission recommendations are held to account in promoting long-term change and building the structural change the system needs to reduce the rates of suicide and suicidality amongst serving and ex-serving ADF members. The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee gave a list of recommendations for what should be included in this bill. I'd like to thank the committee for their work, and I'd like to run through some of those really important recommendations now. The first recommendation is the implementation of standalone legislation for the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, to reflect its independence. As I've mentioned previously, this bill is about delivering on this commitment.”
“In acknowledgement of the significance and urgency of this recommendation, in February 2025, the Albanese Labor government legislated the creation of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, and it's now been up and running since the end of September. Now we're establishing the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner and commission into its own standalone legislation, as it was always intended, and we're strengthening it. The role of the new statutory oversight entity is to provide independent oversight and evidence based advice to drive system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for the defence and veteran community. What's unique about this statutory oversight is its focus. There is a dedicated and sustained focus here on suicide prevention.”
“Most important were the findings. The royal commission found that, for our veterans and our servicemen, the system wasn't working. The commission made 122 recommendations. Recommendation 122 was that the government establish a new statutory entity to oversee system reform across the whole defence ecosystem. The royal commission said that this was its most important recommendation. It said that this recommendation would underpin all of the other recommendations that preceded it. This is the most significant action the Australian government can take to address defence and veteran suicide, so that's what we're doing.”
“We must do better for veterans in our country, and that's exactly what this bill is about. This bill is a response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which delivered its final report in September last year. I'd like to thank the current and former serving personnel and their families who have bravely shared their stories with the royal commission. The royal commission was an important moment for our country. It was a moment to give proper recognition to our ADF personnel and veterans for what they do for our country and at what cost. This recognition extends to the families and communities of ADF personnel and veterans. The royal commission was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to learn and strengthen Defence's approach to mental health and welfare and to create a better workplace experience for personnel.”
“He was the first Western Australian and the only light horseman to receive the Victoria Cross, or VC, the highest award for valour in battle that could be awarded to a member of the Australian armed forces at the time. Unfortunately, even an honour like this doesn't take away from the pain. Hugo physically came home, but his mind never truly left the battlefield. Fifteen years later, Hugo committed suicide. These service men and women see unimaginable things. They go through unimaginable trauma and are plagued with this mental harm forever more. A statue of Hugo now stands in the Avon Mall in Northam, and his Victoria Cross can be seen in the Australian War Memorial here in Canberra. His legacy lives on and is a reminder to us all that we must do better.”
“My grandfather recalls a time postwar when his dad, Stanley Jack, had woken up in the middle of the night and jumped out of a window from the fear of a nightmare. This is post-traumatic stress disorder, and it's a reality that many veterans live with every single day. There's a reason we tell these stories. It's a part of us, and it's a part of our nation's shared history, shared heritage and shared culture. We tell these stories to keep them alive, to honour and remember those they're about, those who are no longer with us, those lives that were cut short at too young an age, like my great-uncles. I'd like to tell you another story, about one of my mum's relatives. Hugo Throssell VC was an Australian soldier in the First World War. He served in Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine, and he fortunately returned home to Australia safely.”
“My dad's grandfathers, Robert Bruce Baird and Alfred Caldwell, also served in the Air Force in Darwin during the bombings of 1942, but returned home to Melbourne postwar. My great uncles were not so lucky, and, sadly, perished while they were serving overseas. These men gave their lives to our country, and I'm proud to stand on their shoulders. Once the soldiers returned home from the Second World War, many received pieces of land in regional Victoria—including my great grandfather, Stanley Jack. Stanley Jack was my grandfather's dad. He was provided a soldier settlement farm by the Australian government near Tatura, along with many veteran families. But living postwar wasn't easy.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025, introduced by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. I commend him for doing so, and I note his presence in this chamber today. I'm proud to come from a family who has served our country. My grandmother Jean Lynette Jordan and her sister-in-law, Sergeant Margery Steele—also known as 'Sarge Marge'—supported the Second World War effort from Australia through their work with the Australian Women's Land Army. My grandfather Stanley Jack Jordan served in the Air Force in the Second World War.”
“It was great to meet with the City of Melton team last week on their advocacy priorities. It's so important that the federal government works closely with the state and local governments to deliver the infrastructure we need for our communities, and we already have a number of ways we're doing just that. There is a billion dollars to upgrade the Western Freeway, $300 million to make the Calder Park Drive interchange a reality, $15 million to build the Plumpton Aquatic and Leisure Centre, and countless more projects just like those. I know that this Labor government cares about building better infrastructure, health, and education opportunities for the western suburbs in my community, and that's what I'm here in this place to fight for.”
“There's no question that more people are choosing my community in Melbourne's western suburbs to call home. We're one of the fastest growing electorates in the country. Here's a snapshot of data within the City of Melton local government area. Over 75 babies are born a week. Seventy-nine families move into the municipality every week. We have a 6.61 per cent annual population growth rate. We're young, with a median age of 33 years old, and diverse, with 36 per cent of residents born overseas. These stats mean we need to strategically plan better road and rail connections, more houses, schools, public transport options, health care and community hubs to cater for this growth. We want to make sure that people who live in the west have the employment and education opportunities they need right in our own backyard.”
“We know that, when we invest in our people, our society, our economy and our future benefit many times over. We're a government that cares about what makes a real difference to the lives of Australians—cost-of-living measures, Medicare, affordable housing—and that knows the transformative quality of education, not just for individuals but for all of Australia. I commend this bill to the House.”
“It's about making sure no-one is left behind and about giving every Australian the chance to study, train and gain skills that they'll use for the rest of their life. It's about planning for the future of our country. A strong tertiary education system isn't just good for students; it's good for families, it's good for local businesses and it's good for communities right across Australia. This bill delivers a stronger, fairer and more connected tertiary education system—one that's ready for what comes next, one that supports students, backs communities and helps build a better Australia for all of us. We're a government that invests in Australians, our people, unlike the opposition, who believe that if you don't pay for something you don't value it.”
“The ATEC will build on the work already underway. It will give practical, clear advice to government. It will keep track of equity and skills targets, and it will help create a more connected system so it's easier for students to get the qualifications they need, without hitting roadblocks along the way. It will also help bring universities and TAFE closer together so students aren't forced to choose one path and stick with it forever. They'll be able to move between systems, build their skills over time and get the training Australia actually needs. This bill is about building a system that works for students, not just institutions—a system where every student has a fair shot, a system where students from underrepresented backgrounds aren't pushed to the margins but are properly supported to succeed.”
“This is real and tangible, and it will make a difference to the lives of millions of Australians right across the country. It's those people who this Labor government cares about, and it's who we have legislated real change for. These are just some of the ways we are helping make life a little bit more affordable—not just now but into the future, too. It's about lifting a real burden off the shoulders of young Australians who are working hard to build their own future. People shouldn't be held back by debt for decades. This isn't just a number on a page. It matters to families like mine. It matters to the 26,000 university students in my electorate of Gorton, who are juggling study, work and everyday life. It's practical, it's fair and it's exactly the kind of commonsense reform that helps young Aussies get ahead.”
“By Christmas, millions of Australians saw that reduction for themselves the next time they logged into their myGov account. Those with an average debt of $27,600 have seen a reduction of $5,520 in their outstanding debt. This means that students can keep more of what they earn—no applications, no form, just real cost-of-living relief. We've capped the interest so young people's student debt doesn't spiral out of control, and we've raised the minimum repayment threshold, so students aren't forced to pay back more than they can afford. This means that, for example, if you earn $27,000 a year, you will save over $1,000 a year in repayments. You can still pay off more if you want to, but what it does is make the system fairer for everyone, no matter what their income is.”
“Like the other measures, it's designed to make university and training more accessible. Then there are the student services and amenities fees, of which we've made sure universities put at least 40 per cent back into student led organisations, and the Commonwealth supported places, which we've made available to all First Nations students who meet the entry requirements. We've introduced the National Student Ombudsman and the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. We've made HECS fairer. We've cut 20 per cent off student debt. Let me be clear: wiping 20 per cent off every student's HECS debt wasn't just a policy idea; it was our government's priority. It was the very first piece of legislation this Labor government introduced into parliament after we came into government last year.”
“That's what this is really about—giving communities like mine the educational opportunities they deserve, because every Aussie deserves access to the resources they need to build their own future. We've also increased free university bridging courses. This one is about helping more students to prepare for university, particularly those students from underrepresented backgrounds. We're providing more opportunities for pathways into higher education, and we've introduced paid prac for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students. These Commonwealth prac payments are a big one for students juggling cost-of-living and study pressures. The $331 these eligible students earn per week while doing their mandatory prac placements as part of their degrees is tangible, real cost-of-living relief.”
“It's so that students can get the education they want and communities can benefit from graduates who are ready to work locally and contribute to the economy. The Albanese Labor government has already delivered 31 of the accord report's 47 recommendations. We've doubled university study hubs in regional and suburban areas. My community in Melbourne's west has seen the benefits from this, with the suburban university study hub in Melton in the member for Hawke's electorate. These are amazing. For students in any tertiary education setting, it means they can access campus-style study spaces, onsite admin and academic support, and a range of other student support services, all free of charge.”
“I studied neuroscience at the University of Melbourne. While it might not feel that long ago, I remember what it was like balancing study, work and the pressure of trying to set yourself up for the future. I know just how the education system can shape the path of a young person. When it works, it opens doors. When it doesn't, it can hold people back. That's why this bill matters to me. It's about making sure higher education actually works for students, it's about giving young people real opportunities, and it's about building a system that supports them to succeed no matter where they come from or what their background is. Universities will also have the flexibility to follow their own goals while meeting the needs of their students and communities.”
“In Melbourne's west, we're young, we're diverse and we're full of families working hard to get ahead. For those at university age, it's people who are juggling work, study and family and trying to work out how to take the next step. But many people still face barriers to education and training. ATEC will help by making sure universities and TAFEs are offering the right courses in the right places, with the right support around students. It will encourage diversity in our universities. It will keep an eye on equity and skills targets. It will help build a more connected system that actually works for students. One of my biggest passions has always been education and helping young people get ahead. That comes from my own experience. Like many people in this place, I was once a student too.”
“It's about planning ahead, linking education with real jobs and making sure students are learning skills that actually lead somewhere, because, when education works, everything else follows. It will really make a difference to communities, including my own local community in Melbourne's western suburbs. My electorate of Gorton is young. We're one of the youngest federal electorates in the country. The median age is 35 years old, and we have more than 40,000 residents aged between 25 and 39. When we're talking about HECS debt, these are the people we're talking about. Around 26,000 people in my electorate have student debt. They're the same people who are trying to save for a deposit to get into the housing market, paying mortgages and bills, and starting families.”
“It will tell us what's working, will tell us where the gaps are and will tell us what we need to do better, especially for the students who are getting locked out or left behind. And this really matters because the universities accord is clear: in the decades ahead, more Australians will need skills and qualifications—a certificate, a diploma or a degree—because right now Australia has real shortages. We need to build more homes, and then we need more tradies and we need more technicians. We have an ageing population, so we need more community and care workers. We also need more disability support workers, childcare workers, nurses. The ATEC is about making sure that that pipeline works and that supply matches demand.”
“It's not just about setting rules; it's about making sure universities are actually delivering for students, for communities and for the workforce that our future needs. This is the kind of leadership and oversight that will make a real difference. ATEC will work with universities to set goals for the number of domestic and international students they teach. It will provide advice to federal, state and territory governments about the best way to run the higher education system. ATEC will also take on responsibility for setting and maintaining national standards in higher education. That means making sure universities are doing what they're meant to do and doing it well. Every year, ATEC will publish a state of the tertiary education system report. This report will tell us how the system is tracking.”
“Free TAFE is giving people the skills to back themselves, to build a career and to support their families, and to learn skills that help our countries and our communities thrive. For over 13 per cent of people in my community of Gorton, it's opening doors and it's opening opportunities and it's working. Over 210,000 TAFE courses have been completed. That means more people are starting careers as nurses, carpenters, aged-care workers, electricians, early childhood educators and so many more. These are the jobs that keep our communities moving, the jobs that help people live better lives. The ATEC won't be working on its own either. It will be supported by the Department of Education, which means it will have access to the expertise, resources and networks it needs to do its job properly.”
“We want students moving between them, learning the skills they actually need to get ahead in life and contribute to our country. Over the next 10 years, nine out of 10 new jobs will require post-secondary education. Around half of those new jobs will require a VET qualification. That means more people at TAFE and more people at university. That's why Labor introduced free TAFE for all Australians and why we've made it permanent. It's here to stay. Since we introduced free TAFE, it's seen over 725,000 enrolments across the country. And, let me tell you, free TAFE is changing lives. I know this. I know this because my husband, Christopher, is one of the 725,000 enrolments in free TAFE. Thanks to this program, he was able to retrain later in life to become an electrician. I really can't emphasise enough what free TAFE means for people.”
“It will support world-class research, and it will help students get the skills Australia needs—the skills to contribute to our economy, support their local communities and play their part in shaping a stronger, fairer and better Australia. If you're wondering how the ATEC will actually work, here's how it'll go. The minister will appoint three commissioners to lead it. One of them will be a First Nations commissioner. That's so the voices and perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are front and centre of everything ATEC does. At least one of the other commissioners will have real experience with VET. That's vocational education and training. So we're connecting universities and TAFE in a smarter, more connected way. We don't want these systems working in silos. We want them talking to each other.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025. This bill is about the future of universities and higher education in Australia. At the heart of it is the creation of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission or ATEC. The purpose of this bill is to set up the Australian Tertiary Education Commission. Think of it as a coach or a navigator for our universities and TAFE. It doesn't run the universities, but it makes sure they're doing what they should—giving students a great education and offering courses that actually matter. ATEC is going to be the blueprint for improving our higher education system. It will make sure universities deliver high-quality teaching.”
“It's why we've secured a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators, and it's why we're paying super on paid parental leave. You won't see much colour on that side of the House. Those opposite save their true colours for backroom deals—deals amongst men to undermine female leaders—and for reminding Australia, as the member for Longman did so eloquently, that women prefer hairdressing and men prefer maths. That's who they are. But it's not who we are. I'm so proud to be part of a Labor caucus that is 57 per cent women and to be part of a government that reflects modern Australia and which is making concrete change for the women of our country. That's why we wear purple today.”
“Purple is the colour of International Women's Day. It was used in the women's suffrage movement. It's a symbol of dignity and justice, and it's a motif in the artistic expression of women, from Gwen Harwood's 'The Violets' to Taylor Swift's 'Lavender Haze'. It's a symbol of women's empowerment, and that's why we wear purple with pride on this side of the House. We're a government which lifts women up, which recognises the very real ways that women are still held back in our society and makes real change to remove these obstacles. It's why we've brought in paid prac so that women in female-dominated fields are paid during their placements. It's why we've expanded the Leaving Violence Program. It's why we've brought in cheaper child care and the three-day childcare guarantee.”
“The decision to pack up your life and move to a different country is one of the biggest you can make. Our government recognises that and is committed to supporting migrants every step of the way. I commend this bill to the House.”
“We've been an example for other countries. But we're living in a moment when our social cohesion, the thread that joins us all together, is under threat. And make no mistake: it's under threat from hate and extremism that seek to divide and want to make us believe that we cannot live harmoniously alongside one another. Our government doesn't buy this story, and we will not let it divide us. That's why the government established an office for multicultural affairs and elevated to cabinet, for the very first time, the standalone position of Minister for Multicultural Affairs. That's why we brought in the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 and it's why we're strengthening our existing legislation to ensure that every member of our multicultural community has equitable access to services.”
“That's a finding which speaks to the seriousness of this issue and the crucially important part of making sure that a language barrier does not prevent migrants from looking after their own health. It's so important that we produce materials in language and proactively reach out to migrants, to provide in-language and culturally-appropriate education and support. A service like TIS National is the foundation of all of this because, for migrants and service providers alike, when communicating directly is not possible, it's so important that the option to call an interpreter is there to fall back on. The Albanese Labor government is bringing in this bill because we know the importance of multicultural and social cohesion in our country. We're one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world.”
“Language barriers prevent migrants from accessing and receiving a whole lot of important information and services. They can prevent migrants from calling triple zero; understanding information from emergency services, like the SES, when natural disasters occur; reporting crimes; or going to the doctor. Many studies have highlighted the negative impact of language barriers on migrants' access to health care, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare even reported that low English proficiency, and more than 10 years in Australia, is actually linked to a higher prevalence of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and lung conditions, even though people born overseas generally have fewer long-term health conditions than those born in Australia.”
“But we made it clear that, if her mother needed an opportunity to hear this information directly, we'd be happy to see her back in the office for an in-person meeting with a translator. Two months later, there was a message in the inbox asking to set up a meeting. The opportunity to have this meeting with a translator from TIS National on the phone took the pressure off our young constituent to speak on behalf of her mother. It gave her mother an opportunity to be heard, to hear the information she needed from the source and to ask questions she still had directly and hear the answers herself. That's the power of free translation services in our electorate offices. But it's not just about complex visa matters or issues that might bring you to an electorate office. It's much more basic than that.”
“However, we know they often face a heavy burden. They're usually more proficient in the language of their new home than their parents, so they have to step up and help out. They become the translator—the one that helps with the paperwork, reads the bills, makes the phone calls and goes to every appointment. They're adultified long before they become actual adults. For their parents, who are faced with adapting to a new country, a new language and a new life, these experiences can be incredibly disempowering. They find themselves unable to advocate for themselves or for their families in the same way they have their entire lives—often the same way that got them and their families to Australia in the first place. When we received the update on the visa application, we provided it to our young constituent.”
“At that point, having the option to speak a language you're comfortable in is so important. If the person supporting you isn't proficient in your language, you need help from someone else. Recently, my electorate office was visited by two constituents, a young girl and her mother, seeking an update on a humanitarian visa application for a close relative. This young girl and her mother were both refugees from Afghanistan themselves. When they visited my office, our young constituent spoke on behalf of her mother. Her mother was distressed, and this young girl was caught in the middle, translating back and forth as we tried to ensure both sides were on the same page. The children of migrant families are loved and cherished, and their parents have often been through incredible hardship to give them the opportunities for a better life.”
“In my electorate office, we're regularly visited by constituents who speak English as a second language or, for many of my constituents, even a third or a fourth language. We have the number for TIS National blu-tacked next to the reception in our electorate office so we can make a quick call for an interpreter whenever we need. The importance of protecting and strengthening a service like this in a multicultural country really can't be understated. Most of my constituents with migrant backgrounds are proficient in English or speak enough to get around day to day without too much trouble. But anyone who has lived or travelled in a country that speaks a different language knows that, when it comes to administration, complex issues and situations of high stress or emotion, the holes in your language skills become apparent very quickly.”
“That said, we must continue to provide a bridge—a service that supports and gives grace to new migrants new migrants while they're building their language skills and gaining confidence. Acknowledging that learning a language is a process ensures that, no matter what stage they're at with their English learning journey, they are never left behind. My electorate of Gorton in Melbourne's western suburbs is incredibly diverse. There are tens of thousands of families across the electorate, and amongst those families we have one of the highest proportions of first- and second-generation migrants in Australia. More than 33 per cent of my electorate was born overseas, and more than 30,000 of my constituents speak a language other than English at home.”
“Over these 75 years, the program has supported countless members of our community to improve their English and to gain the confidence to participate more fully in Australian society. It also facilitates all important bonds between new migrants and established members of the community, providing new migrants with a point of contact—someone to ask when they have questions about how the public transport system works or what the rules of AFL are. It's a service that provides real, personal support to new migrants and makes their integration into the economic and social life of our country that little bit easier. In recent times, the AMEP has actually been expanded so that more migrants can access free English tuition for longer until they reach a higher level of proficiency.”
“Rather, it's an acknowledgement that learning a new language is no easy feat. For some people in our community, like women who are raising children and older first-generation migrants, learning English often means years of intentional effort and study, requiring them to seek out opportunities to learn and practise and find time to work on their English every single day. To support migrants to improve their English, the Adult Migrant English Program, provided by the Department of Home Affairs, offers free English tuition provided by a volunteer tutor to all migrants and humanitarian entrants. The AMEP has been teaching migrants English for over 75 years, and it assists around 50,000 to 60,000 eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants each year.”
“TIS National also accepts calls from people with limited proficiency themselves, giving them the option of arranging a translator themselves before engaging with the government or another service provider. It's actually the only interpretive service in Australia to offer this option. In 2026, TIS National has access to more than 2,700 language practitioners in over 150 languages. It operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and provides over 1.3 million interpreting services each year. It is the strong foundation on which all of our work to ensure that members of our multicultural communities have equitable access is built. Of course, when it comes to participating fully in Australian society, nothing can substitute for the ability to understand and speak English. TIS National is not a substitute for becoming proficient in English.”
“In 1973, they included the world's first telephone interpreting services—still a core component of the TIS National services today. Today, TIS National's free interpreting services allow the government and other service providers to engage an interpreter or translator to assist in communicating with clients. Through TIS National, service providers can book a telephone, online or in-person appointment with a translator and can be connected directly to a phone interpreter within a few minutes of calling. Service providers that use TIS National include medical practitioners, allied health professionals, pharmacies, NGOs providing casework and emergency services, legal services, trade unions and real estate agencies. Indeed, TIS National performs a key function in ensuring good health outcomes for our multicultural communities.”
“Many Australians may not have heard of TIS National, but it's a service we use regularly in our electorate office and in the wider community. It dates back to the late 1940s, when we welcomed a new wave of postwar migrants to settle in Australia. For many of us in this place, as well as many of my constituents, these migrants were our parents or our grandparents. It was actually the first time the Australian government opened its doors to migrants from beyond the British Isles, who spoke a mother tongue other than English. In that way, TIS National is one of the foundational services of modern multicultural Australia. Since the forties, these services have grown and evolved to meet the needs of the Australian community.”
“Rather, it will simply provide a clear legislative framework for the services, providing certainty and ensuring their continued availability to support our community into the future. With this bill, we're protecting the important services that TIS National provide to people with limited English language proficiency and ensuring that, no matter their level of English proficiency, every member of our community can access key services and support. TIS National is a translation and interpreting service operated within the Department of Home Affairs for the purpose of promoting equitable access to key services for people in our community with limited or no English language proficiency. It's a key mechanism by which we ensure that these members of our community aren't left behind.”
“We're living in a time when social cohesion is more important than ever—social cohesion or having respect and care for each other or celebrating both the things that make us different and the things that make us the same. This bill is about continuing our care for multicultural communities. It's about meeting them where they're at, ensuring that they can always access key services and supporting them to participate fully in the economic and social life of our country. This bill will establish a statutory framework for the translating and interpreting services provided by TIS National within the Department of Home Affairs. If enacted, the proposed legislation will ensure clear and enduring statutory support for TIS National. It won't change the way in which the services of TIS National are provided or funded.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025. This bill is about supporting our multicultural community. It's about making sure that members of our multicultural community are looked after. It's about strengthening an important and successful service, and ensuring that, when we look to the future, we see one where every single member of our multicultural community is taken care of. Australia's multicultural diversity is so important to who we are; it's so important to my community, where cultural festivals and local establishments bring people together; and it's so important to our country.”
“This bill is mitigating significant consumer losses by addressing regulatory gaps, because digital asset consumers should have the same protections as are available to traditional finance. This bill will provide a clear, consistent framework for businesses operating in Australia's growing digital asset sector, and it's telling foreign powers that, in a world where technology and our finance systems are evolving so fast, Australia supports technologically-driven productivity, competition and long-term economic resilience. We're giving businesses certainty to invest and innovate in Australia, knowing the rules are clear and globally aligned. I commend this bill to the House.”